Category Archives: skirt suit

MY VERY FIRST TRUE VINTAGE 1940’S LADIES’ SKIRT SUIT

MY VERY FIRST TRUE VINTAGE 1940'S LADIES' SKIRT SUIT

This is just about my favorite suit because it was one of the first things I found when I started to be interested in vintage clothing.  It’s perfect for me, too, and I love wearing it.

It’s got little braided belt loops at the sides, so I usually put a skinny belt on.  It’s plain, but the fit is oh, so attractive!  I always get compliments.

I did do a couple of things to it due to my inexperience that I wouldn’t do now – I shortened it a bit to knee length and may have cut off the excess (horrors! – not the thing to do.  if you really want to shorten something, just make a deeper hem so that it can be changed back).   Thank goodness that I didn’t make it into a mini!  I also put the little slit in the front, which I now would probably have opened in back, if I did one.  That, however, is no big deal as it can be reversed.

Another reversible change was replacing the shoulder pads, which were VERY big, with smaller ones to make it more work-wearable. They can easily be replaced for authenticity.

Oh, well – I still love the thing so much and am very happy with it, but experience is a wonderful teacher and I’m so grateful for all that I have learned. . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A SOPHISTICATED AND ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1950’S, A LA’ PRINCESS GRACE

A SOPHISTICATED AND ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1950'S, A LA' PRINCESS GRACE

This lovely suit was from a smaller women’s dress shop – it has the store’s label inside, rather than the label of the clothing company that made it.  Of course, big companies like Gap and Banana Republic outsource the manufacture of their clothing, but here I’m talking about small, privately owned shops that might have been owned by your neighbor down the street.

Back in the day, a store’s buyer (this was often the owner of the store) would sometimes pick items at the wholesale market to carry in their own shop with their own label, even though they didn’t make it themselves.  A second label giving the name of the company that manufactured the item might be present, too, but not always.  Since I wasn’t a shopper during that era and never have owned a dress shop, it was surprising and fun to learn this!  Maybe it’s still done this way by some big department stores or small, elegant boutiques with high prices but, back in the Fifties, a local small-town  dress shop might have sold frocks carrying an embroidered label with their own store’s name inside. Amazing!

Conservative but very elegant – Grace Kelly wore garments like this often in her public and private life. Looking like a tart is not elegant (and not really sexy, either).  I wish some of the popular designers and their market would get that.  It’s difficult to find well-designed and well-made clothing, if you shop at retail.

Anyway, this is another of those keep-it-for-decades ensembles that could go almost anywhere when you need a traditional style.  You can dress it up or down, or split the separates and accessorize and, if it fits well, it’s very flattering.  The skirt hem length could be anywhere from below to slightly above the knee without ruining the line.  Make it micro-mini and you’ll look like you haven’t got a clue . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940’S

A FAVE WASP-WAIST SUIT FROM THE LATE 1940'S

Here’s a wonderful post-WWII skirt suit that has that superb hour-glass shape that I love. To me, it’s an era that produced some of the most flattering clothing – like the suit from yesterday, also.

In wool, with stripes of charcoal, mid-blue and wine. Padded shoulders. Cheeky little turned-up cuffs. And, a longer skirt which is very versatile on it’s own, too.

Although thoughts of Spring are definitely in mind, we could wear these gorgeous garments for at least another month in this kind of weather and I take advantage of every chance I have!  Let’s see what else I can find . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS LADIES’ SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940’S

AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS LADIES' SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940'S

This one belongs in the classic wartime or post-war movies, on Greer Garson, Ingrid Bergman or someone of their poise and stature.  It’s so beautifully cut and made, you can see why it’s a love of mine.

How could you not feel confident and beautiful wearing this?! It’s of wool, but not too heavy.  Even though the temperature is getting a little higher is some places now, suits like this can be comfortable even into the 60’s degree range – no need for a coat!  LOVE the slash pockets – they create such a flattering line.

I’m so inspired, I might just put it on with my Cuban heel oxfords and go to the coffee shop . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950’S / EARLY 1960’S

A BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE SPECIAL-OCCASION SKIRT SUIT FROM THE LATE 1950'S / EARLY 1960'S

Perfect for a special cold weather dinner or other holiday event or for a dressy winter wedding (as guest or bride), a semi-formal skirt suit is always astonishingly elegant.

This little lovely is of wool in a cream beige textured weave, with large ornamental buttons and a boxy cut, beautifully made, of course.  Knee or just-below length skirt and a hip-skimming jacket with bracelet-length sleeves.

The most arresting feature is the mink collar, which amps the visibility of this ensemble to a high level.   Or, you could remove the fur and replace it with a silk scarf or a pearl collar. It will make a noticeable entrance, but it’s powerful presence will only build after that.

You can decide if you’re Jackie Kennedy or Princess Grace or, or, or . . . . . . . . .. That’s the fun – you just never run out of options . . . . . . . . . ……. . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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A FAVORITE DARK NAVY BLUE HOUR – GLASS SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940’S TO 1950’S

A FAVORITE DARK NAVY BLUE HOUR - GLASS SKIRT SUIT FROM THE 1940'S TO 1950'S

This jacket and skirt suit is from the Post-war, change-of-decade time after WWII. As with a number of my suits, the skirt is not the original, which would have been a longer one, below the knee.  With diligent sleuthing, I’ve been able to match up “new” skirts very well for color and fabric.

The collar detail on this jacket is so distinctive! Seems to be more of an into – Spring style, though it is of wool. I just love that white accent on dark navy blue.

The shape, also, is a favorite – nothing more flattering than that! This is probably my favorite era for skirt suits because of the fit and the pretty details that they usually have.

But, I have lovely jackets and suits dating from the late ’30’s through the ’60’s and you can find flattering and beautiful things from any era. If you have the eye to spy . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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ICONIC TRUE VINTAGE POST-WAR “WALKING SUIT” WITH FOX FUR COLLAR

This “walking suit”, with large braided buttons and a big shawl collar is made of heavy boucle’ knit  in wool. The jacket is longish and the skirt (before I folded the hem up) is below the knee.  It was sold during the post-war era 1945 – 1955.

Many suits like this have fur collars, a lot like coats, because they were made to almost double as outerwear in colder weather.  Since women had become more active in the work-force, they were out and about more and their clothing had become less “dainty”, though still very beautiful.  These might also be called “city suits” – made for walking the long blocks in downtown urban areas.

I’ve removed the fur collar, which had been hand-tacked on, and could certainly see wearing this today!  With a pretty sweater and scarf,  maybe a hat, it would be plenty warm – saves the bulk of a coat.   Just right for window-shopping or errands in the city.  Elegant and practical, too.  Best of both worlds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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TARTAN WOOL TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S LADIES’ JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

TARTAN WOOL 1950'S LADIES' JACKET AND SKIRT SUIT

Now I’m going to start moving into some earlier styles, from the Forties and Fifties.  This is so cute, and also festive!  The little jacket has those stylish features of that era like a tiny collar with cut-in detail at the back of the neck, 3/4 sleeves, pert little buttons and a nipped waist.

I also love the longish pleated skirt because it is stitched down and slim over the hips. This adds to the hourglass silhouette of this ensemble and the swing of the skirt.  Pieces like these two always make great separates, too – something I really appreciate about suits!

Made of a lightweight wool, it’s just right for the weather now. The colors are also a nice break from the blacks and dark tones that are usually seen so much.

Women and the fashion designers in the Fifties always thought about looking pretty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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FABULOUS FIND – ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT BY DESIGNER HENRI’ BENDEL

FABULOUS FIND - ELEGANT SKIRT SUIT BY DESIGNER HENRI' BENDEL

This suit is SO elegant & classic, it’s hard for me to date it precisely. I’m guessing it may have been made during the 1960’s.

One of my favorite ensembles – it has “couture” written all over it and you really understand what that means when it is on the body. What a cut! I always draw admiring looks and compliments when I wear it.

In a slate blue/cranberry weave with a gorgeous cranberry lining. Cuff detail and silver buttons shaped like turtles – I just love it!

If I ever have meetings with bankers or have other reasons to appear very “well – heeled”, this is the disguise I choose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (with one of those slips underneath). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

LOVELY CLASSIC TRUE VINTAGE SKIRT SUIT FROM NEW YORK CITY

I’ve SO enjoyed going through my skirt suit collection  for this series of posts! I was reminded of how great a find this one was, during a special trip to the Big Apple.

All the suits you’ll see are from the 1940’s to the mid 1970’s. This one is so classic it could almost go anywhere in that period. In this case, the skirt has been shortened a few inches – always without cutting off material, so the original length can easily be restored!

The details most loved about this one are the great colors – always love the unusual combination of blues and browns – and the suede trim.

The classic cut is also one of the best, best things about any garment and why true vintage is usually way ahead of modern clothing. This suit, like most I’ll show, will look sophisticated and elegant for as long as I own it.

If you think “dowdy” or “matronly” when you see this photo, you’re not using real style sense. Don’t forget that an ensemble like this can be worn many ways, including using the jacket and skirt as separates, and with many different accessories, making it fresh and versatile each time.

And, there’s never any competition for true elegance . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

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